It didn't begin in Salem and it hasn't ended. Too often we hear the word “WITCH” and it elicits a variety of negative connotations. Family, friends, the media, films, and TV series all contribute to and reinforce this pejorative view. "Thorn Trees" is different & plans to expand the narrative.
It didn't begin in Salem and it hasn't ended. Too often we hear the word “WITCH” and it elicits a variety of negative connotations. Family, friends, the media, films, and TV series all contribute to and reinforce this pejorative view. "Thorn Trees" is different & plans to expand the narrative.
-
Story
Mission Statement
We're creating this dramatic, adventurous, suspense series to help heal the damage done to our ancestors in the past, reduce the hurt witches experience due to stereotypes in the present, and contribute to minimizing future unrealistic representations that are false, misleading and harmful.About The Project
A new twist on the reason behind the Salem Witch Trials.
It didn't begin in Salem.
A grieving witch recruits a repentant witch-hunter in Elizabethan England to help save her family from a corrupt Bishop intent on murder.
RACHEL GARE’S (Protagonist) Point-of-View About Her Story
"I hoped my family would be safe in the village of Aelbank, though I kept a bag packed in case the militia from my previous village showed up seeking me, Rachel Gare. My husband’s death occurred due to self-defense to escape his beatings. My sister Lizbet and her family fled with me. It was fairly easy as witchcraft-practicing Pagans to live among the Christians who listened to Pastor Joseph in church, and sought my sister Lizbets’ healings—and my visions—behind his arrogant, resentful back. Suddenly, everyone I love is in danger, and as insane as it sounds, I must recruit a witch-hunter who appears filled with remorse to help me."
CLICK HERE and listen to Progressive Witch, High Priestess & Producer, BERNADETTE MONTANA (event producer/marketing administrator/business owner) share why she supports Thorn Trees. (Duration: 1 min)
Genre: Drama · Period · Suspense · Adventure · Historical · Faith & Spirituality · Female Protagonist
Status: Pre-Production (Crowdsourcing & Crowdfunding)
Comparables: Vikings (History Channel) | True Detective (HBO) | Good Witch (Hallmark) | Salem (WGN America)
CLICK HERE to view our Opening Scenes Concept Trailer
(Duration: 4min 45sec) - Watch using Full Screen!
(Filmed in England and Wales, U.K. pre-COVID)YOU'RE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE FROM THE BEGINNING IN THIS EARLY STAGE OF PRE-PRODUCTION during the special difficulties and realities affecting our project and the entertainment industry during the COVID pandemic.
According to the woman slated to direct Thorn Trees who is currently filming with producer/director/showrunner Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Station 19): "it’s been a process to even shoot one day...Covid tests, fittings etc."
Since March 2020 our team has been working and meeting remotely and safely (mobile phones & Zoom) from our individual locations during pre-production crowdsourcing & planning crowdfunding: NY, NJ, England, CA, MD, OH, VA and Ireland. Viist the TEAM tab!
This campaign is STEP ONE in our funding strategy:
-
FUND our social media campaign to get the word out and attract more influencers/supporters.
-
FUND creating an LLC business entity for producing Thorn Trees.
-
FUND RACHEL'S GAZETTE, our unique publication for supporting witches stories' and our outreach to influencers/supporters (Our female protagonist is the editor!). Get to know RACHEL before she comes to life in the pilot for our series.
-
FUND subscriptions to Internet Database (IMDb Pro) and other resources required for cast and crew outreach.
-
FUND our Assistant Producers Internship Program for Thorn Trees (We've been supporting interns since they lost their prior paid educational positions due to COVID in March 2020. What we raise beyond our funding requirement will go to them.)
CURRENTLY, THE TRADITION IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS TO primarily finance stories about witches if they are defined within the context of horror or fantasy. There are some exceptions to this rule (e.g. Good Witch, Hallmark Channel). But, there are MANY more stories to be told.
One of Three Concept Posters by Artifice Design (U.K.)
WE ARE USING OUR SERIES AS A “GAME CHANGER” concerning deep-rooted negativity, prejudice, ignorance, and often false or limited stereotypical narratives toward spiritual and faith-based paths. Our main story focuses on a witchcraft-practicing, matriarchal Pagan family living in a Christian village in 1590s England, a precursor to the Salem witch trials.
CLICK HERE and listen to our Consulting Producer, LYNDSY SPENCE (author/screenwriter/historian), as she discusses misconceptions about witches in the U.K. Lyndsy's ancestors: JAQUETTA OF LUXEMBOURG--who is connected to British royalty--was accused of witchcraft, and JOHN GREENWOOD, was a founder of the Puritans. (Duration: 1 min)
Everyone on the Thorn Trees team are in harmony with The Pursuit Studio's (the LLC entity you will fund) vision:
We are passionate about the art and architecture of creativity and storytelling; in particular, exploring diverse, untold stories that are entertaining and engage you in collaborative, powerful and unique ways.
We trust that you are well, and thank you in advance for joining our journey. As impact producers you will help manifest Thorn Trees, expand the narrative about witches, and share our creative mix of fact and fiction concerning what happened in England that led to the Salem Witch Trials.
Incentives
$5
Peter, Age 18 (Rachel's son)
(The Present) Seven of Swords
Relationship Troubles
- A thank you in Rachel's Gazette publication (January 2021 or February 2021 edition) that you can share on your social media accounts
*To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion
Note:
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot cards used here are reproductions of a deck from the 15th Century. Learn more.
$25
Grace, Age 19 (Rachel's niece)
(The Present) The Fool
Life of Innocence
- Three digital photos from our trailer taken during filmming on locaion, OR a digital copy of our concept poster feaured on our profile
- Jacob's digital document "Crafting the Thorn Trees Trailer" on how we made the trailer on a budget of £750 (just under $1000 U.S.) pre-COVID
* To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion contingent upon your email address being accurate so we can send you the link to download the items.
$50
Ellen, Age 17 (Rachel's niece)
(The Past) Death
Great Change Came Upon HerPeter and Grace, plus:
- A link to the first 10 pages of our script
- A a copy of two script reviews by entertainment industry professionals (U.S. & U.K.): Regina Lee, known as development executive at Universal Pictures for The Scorpion King, Red Dragon, Hulk, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Meet the Fockers, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and more; and Christina Pickworth of Imagine Talent, Ltd. representing writers and directors
* To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion contingent upon your email address being accurate so we can send you the link to download the items
$100
Lizbet, Age 45 (Rachel's sister)
(The Past) The Hierophant
Mediator Between the WorldsPeter, Grace, Ellen plus:
- Membership in private Thorn Trees Facebook influencers & supporters group
- A virtual 30 minute healing arts consultation with Valerie Mich'El via phone or Zoom contingent on your email address being provided (and correct) to schedule an appointment for the consultation within three weeks after campaign completion
Note: Some of the current discussions in our private Facebook Group for influencers/supporters include:
- What's one thing you know now that you wish you knew back when you first started practicing Wicca/Paganism?
- What are your thoughts on practicing more than one religion? For example, could someone be both Wiccan and Christian?
- Have you ever heard of any crazy misconceptions about witches?
- What are some of your favorite traditions or customs during Samhain & Halloween?
- What is your favorite book (witch-related or not)?
$500
Rachel, Age 40 (Protagonist)
(The Future) Nine of Swords
Overcome Doubt and Fear
Peter, Grace, Ellen, Lizbet, plus:
- A copy of our highly rated pilot scipt (within two weeks of campaign completion)
- Invitation to attend a producer's meeting of your choice (in January 2021)
- One free promotion of your business, organization, school, book or event in Rachel's Gazette (January 2021 or February 2021 edition contingent upon your content being provided by the deadline date as published on our website and in Rachel's Gazette to meet the publication deadline).
-
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Peter, Age 18 (Rachel's son)
(The Present) Seven of Swords
Relationship Troubles
- A thank you in Rachel's Gazette publication (January 2021 or February 2021 edition) that you can share on your social media accounts
*To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion
Note:
The Visconti-Sforza Tarot cards used here are reproductions of a deck from the 15th Century. Learn more.
$25
Grace, Age 19 (Rachel's niece)
(The Present) The Fool
Life of Innocence
- Three digital photos from our trailer taken during filmming on locaion, OR a digital copy of our concept poster feaured on our profile
- Jacob's digital document "Crafting the Thorn Trees Trailer" on how we made the trailer on a budget of £750 (just under $1000 U.S.) pre-COVID
* To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion contingent upon your email address being accurate so we can send you the link to download the items.
$50
Ellen, Age 17 (Rachel's niece)
(The Past) Death
Great Change Came Upon HerPeter and Grace, plus:
- A link to the first 10 pages of our script
- A a copy of two script reviews by entertainment industry professionals (U.S. & U.K.): Regina Lee, known as development executive at Universal Pictures for The Scorpion King, Red Dragon, Hulk, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Meet the Fockers, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and more; and Christina Pickworth of Imagine Talent, Ltd. representing writers and directors
* To be delivered within six weeks of campaign completion contingent upon your email address being accurate so we can send you the link to download the items
$100
Lizbet, Age 45 (Rachel's sister)
(The Past) The Hierophant
Mediator Between the WorldsPeter, Grace, Ellen plus:
- Membership in private Thorn Trees Facebook influencers & supporters group
- A virtual 30 minute healing arts consultation with Valerie Mich'El via phone or Zoom contingent on your email address being provided (and correct) to schedule an appointment for the consultation within three weeks after campaign completion
Note: Some of the current discussions in our private Facebook Group for influencers/supporters include:
- What's one thing you know now that you wish you knew back when you first started practicing Wicca/Paganism?
- What are your thoughts on practicing more than one religion? For example, could someone be both Wiccan and Christian?
- Have you ever heard of any crazy misconceptions about witches?
- What are some of your favorite traditions or customs during Samhain & Halloween?
- What is your favorite book (witch-related or not)?
$500
Rachel, Age 40 (Protagonist)
(The Future) Nine of Swords
Overcome Doubt and Fear
Peter, Grace, Ellen, Lizbet, plus:
- A copy of our highly rated pilot scipt (within two weeks of campaign completion)
- Invitation to attend a producer's meeting of your choice (in January 2021)
- One free promotion of your business, organization, school, book or event in Rachel's Gazette (January 2021 or February 2021 edition contingent upon your content being provided by the deadline date as published on our website and in Rachel's Gazette to meet the publication deadline).
- A thank you in Rachel's Gazette publication (January 2021 or February 2021 edition) that you can share on your social media accounts
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
The photos you see above are our Assistant Producer Interns. This project would be dead without them and the work they've done to get us to this point! They have been working unpaid, many who lost their paid internships due to COVID in March 2020, so we want to give them as much visibilty as possible during this campaign and get them paid: Alisha Solaiman (Drexel University), Molly Shilling (Penn State University), Angela White (Regent University) and Rachel Kaufman (Brandeis University).
Also, we've had help in the past from previous interns Jake Samieska (Hamilton College) and Will Ward (Regent University).
Here we go...
JACOB LARCH (CREATOR, SCREENWRITER, PRODUCER, U.K.)
VALERIE MICH'EL OLIVER (ORIGINATOR, CREATOR, PRODUCER, U.S.)
BERNADETTE MONTANA (PRODUCER, U.S.)
LILI BORDÁN (DIRECTOR, NY/LA/HUNGARY)
Lili is an award-winning actress slated to direct "Thorn Trees" contingent upon our raising the funding to attach her in our next round. Her most recent work is as the writer/director of a short making the festival route, "One Night Only", and as an actress in the award-winning film CURTIZ.
BRUCE NAHIN (CO-PRODUCER, U.S.)
META VALENTIC (LINE PRODUCER, U.S.)
LYNDSY SPENCE (CONSULTING PRODUCER, U.K.)
TYRA THOMASON (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, U.S.)
ABBY WHITENACK DELAINE (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, U.S.)
??? An A-List Actress to Portray Our Lead, Rachel Gare ???
Help us in our search for an A-List actress!Put your suggestions in the UPDATES comments area, and our producing team will review your suggestions.
We will prepare a document with our choices of who to contact using IMDb, and share that document with you here prior to launching our next campaign. Who knows? Perhaps the actress you suggest will be our Rachel!
We believe in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, so if you, or a contact of yours can introduce us to the actress personally or her agent or manager to get our script into her hands, let us know!
CREW ATTACHMENTS ARE DEPENDENT ON OUR SUCCESS WITH OUR SECOND CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN ROUND in Spring 2021, so we invite you to continue with us when we move into our next round of fundraising! -
Media
Videos
Images
-
Community
Supporters
Followers
